F
66%
Overall NAT. AVG.
22%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
165%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Marina California National
Cost of living166143100
Goods & Services122115100
Groceries110108100
Health care107103100
Housing265197100
Transportation137136100
Utilities143144100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Marina, CA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Marina? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Marina stands at 166, making it 66% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Marina may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Marina falls within this bracket.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Marina cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 164.9% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Marina, these items will cost you 21.5% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Marina is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 10.4% higher than the national average.

Is Marina Affordable?

Wondering if Marina is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Marina, for example, the median home price is 208.4% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 63.4% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Marina boasting a median household income of $109,165, which is 34.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Marina?

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Marina, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Marina, the transportation index is 36.6% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Marina, the utilities index registers at 42.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Marina, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Marina is 16% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Marina is 66% higher than the national average
  • Marina housing is 165% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Marina

See all the best places to live around Marina

Compare Marina, CA Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$147,524$12,294$3,442$4,426
      Renters$83,788$6,982$1,955$2,514
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Marina is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Marina has a median income of about $147,524 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $3,442 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $83,788. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,955 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Marina National avg. Difference
      Haircut $29.74$27.627.7%
      Beauty Salon $81.94$51.1160.3%
      Toothpaste $4.09$4.090.1%
      Shampoo $2.23$1.5444.6%
      Movie $17.31$12.8834.4%
      Yoga $35.00$19.6678.0%

      Groceries

      Item Marina National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $8.02$7.704.1%
      Fried Chicken $2.65$1.6659.4%
      Milk $5.18$4.739.4%
      Potatoes $4.86$5.267.5%
      Pizza $19.60$12.7653.6%
      Beer $11.35$10.557.6%

      Health Care

      Item Marina National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $175.85$140.0625.6%
      Doctor $150.69$153.822.0%
      Dentist $135.64$123.1510.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.52$11.736.7%
      Lipitor $24.08$23.612.0%

      Housing

      Item Marina National avg. Difference
      Home Price $1,007,453.00$326,622.00208.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $9,604.61$2,480.25287.2%
      Apartment Rent $2,360.00$1,444.0063.4%

      Transportation

      Item Marina National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.55$3.0648.9%
      Tire Balancing $69.75$65.217.0%

      Utilities

      Item Marina National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $372.98$220.1269.4%
      Phone $194.17$195.710.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Moss Landing, CA3312423.8%
      Boronda, CA1,79013837.9%
      Sand City, CA33314140.9%
      Salinas, CA161,64015352.8%
      Elkhorn, CA1,02016161.2%
      Marina, CA22,44316666.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      West Rancho Dominguez, CA22,44114342.7%
      Lexington, SC22,4451021.6%
      Scugog, ON22,436n/a 
      Rotterdam, NY22,4581011.1%
      Silverdale, WA22,45914040.3%
      Marina, CA22,44316666.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.